Caralee Johnson Adams has worked as a journalist for nearly 25 years, covering education, health, parenting, and other issues. She received her journalism degree from Iowa State University and her master’s degree in political science from the University of New Orleans.

With 60 more colleges participating in The Common Application for 2015-16, students can now use the system to apply to more than 600 institutions, some of which will not require an essay for the first time this year.

A new report on college readiness shows that even when African-American students take the recommended core classes in high school most do not meet the minimum ACT scores to indicate they are on track to succeed in college.

A coalition of nearly 50 organizations submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education urging that information on colleges facing government litigation be included in upcoming federal college tool.